| Page Number |
PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line 9th Edition (2011) Update Description |
22 | The Disney Fantasy Christening Ceremony is going to be held on March 1, 2012 in New York City. This will be the first time that a Disney Cruise Line ship is christened outside of Port Canaveral. The ship will be berthed at Pier 88, at the West 48th Street dock.
- 2012-01-17 12:01:32 [update] | 24 | Disney Cruise Line released additional details about high-tech entertainment elements on the Disney Fantasy, which will enter service in March 2012. Included in the November 29 press release were descriptions of some of the Enchanted Art to be found on the ship. When guests approach these "paintings" hanging in the ship's public spaces, the images will come to life in brief animated sequences. First encountered on the Disney Dream, new Enchanted images on the Fantasy include Daisy Duck as "Pinky," modeled on a famous 1795 portrait by Thomas Lawrence; scenes inspired by the Nutcracker Suite and Pastoral Symphony segments of "Fantasia," and a pair of adjacent paintings where Dumbo and Timothy Q. Mouse fly from one frame to the other. It was also revealed that, in addition to the brand-new "Animation Magic" show in the Animator's Palate dining room, during a second meal in the dining room guests will experience "Undersea Magic," the Animator's Palate show that debuted on the Disney Dream, featuring Crush from "Finding Nemo." Finally, the cruise line identified the cities that would be depicted in Skyline Lounge, a cocktail lounge that is one of the hits of the Disney Dream. Styled after an urban penthouse lounge, sweeping nighttime cityscapes are displayed in the lounge's floor-to-ceiling "picture windows." With a flurry of Pixie Dust, every 15 minutes, the scene shifts to another great city. The Disney Fantasy's urban landscape will include Paris, London, Barcelona, Florence, Athens, Budapest, and St. Petersburg. Paris will be the only cityscape seen on both ships.
- 2011-11-29 18:11:03 [update] | 24 | Ownership of the Disney Fantasy has been transferred from the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Germany to the Disney Cruise Line. Captain Tom Forberg is now the Captain of the Disney Fantasy. He was also the Captain for the launch of the other three Disney ships. The Fantasy embarked on a Transatlantic voyage on February 16, 2012, to arrive in time for her Christening in New York City on March 1, 2012.
- 2012-02-13 10:02:48 [update] | 31 | Disney Cruise Line has revealed that Dumbo will be the character dangling (well, flying in this case) from the stern of the Disney Fantasy, the line's fourth ship, which is currently under construction. The sculpture features Dumbo holding a can of yellow paint and Timothy Mouse, in Dumbo's cap, wielding a paintbrush. Dumbo and Timothy join Boatswain Goofy (Disney Magic), Donald Duck and Huey (Disney Wonder) and Sorcerer Mickey plus brooms (Disney Dream) in this role. All are portrayed painting the ship's name on its stern.
- 2011-09-15 13:09:51 [update] | 31 | Dumbo and his friend, Timothy J. Mouse, were placed on the stern of Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, the Disney Fantasy, in the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Germany. The Disney Fantasy will sail it's Maiden Voyage on March 31, 2012.
- 2011-12-28 15:12:46 [update] | 37 | The last piece of the exterior of the Disney Fantasy, Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, was placed last week at the Meyer shipyard in Germany. Interior work is proceeding in earnest, and the ship is well on her way to completion before her Maiden Voyage on March 31, 2012.
- 2011-09-06 10:09:04 [update] | 37 | On January 8, 2012, the Disney Fantasy touched water for the first time. The Fantasy was 'floated out' at the Meyer Werft shipyards in Germany. The Float Out is a significant step in the progress of the ship, though construction continues aboard the ship. You can watch time release video of the ceremony here. The next step for the Disney Fantasy once construction is complete is a journey down the Ems River for sea trials at the end of January. The ship will be officially handed over to Disney on February 9, 2012.
- 2012-01-10 11:01:12 [update] | 39 | Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has canceled its plans to build a resort facility outside of Washington, D.C., according to reports in the Washington Post and other media outlets. The project, at the National Harbor development on the Potomac River, was originally announced in 2009, when the company purchased 11 acres in the complex for $11 million. The fate of that purchase is not yet known, but the developer stated his desire to reacquire the property. A Disney spokesperson quoted in the report cited changed financial priorities at Parks and Resorts for the decision. Disney recently announced a new land at Disney's Animal Kingdom based on the James Cameron film, Avatar.
- 2011-11-28 18:11:05 [update] | 41 | Reports suggest that the Disney Wonder may move to the Southern Florida in 2013. As previously reported, the Disney Wonder has cancelled it's cruises on the West Coast for December 2012. A spokesperson for Disney Cruise Line said at the time that the move was "part of the line's plans for a new itinerary to be announced shortly." Reports suggest that while the Port of Miami is the most likely location, Port Everglades is not out of the question.
- 2012-01-17 12:01:39 [update] | 42 | The Disney Magic will be visiting Port Canaveral during her 8-night Bahamas itinerary, departing from New York this summer. The cruise fare includes a one-day park hopper pass for each guest, good for use only on your Port Canaveral day. (It cannot be used at a later time.) Guests will use their Key to the World cards for park admission. Transportation options to and from the theme parks will be booked under Port Adventures (bus transportation is also included in the cruise fare). You will be asked to choose a departure time and park destination, as well as a pick-up time and location. VIP Tours, the Wild Africa Trek, an IllumiNations Dessert Party, and customizable tours will also be available at extra cost. For those guests who choose not to visit Walt Disney World, there wil be local Port Canaveral options available as well. Note: These Port Adventures options can be found by conducting a search in the Port Adventures section of the cruise line web site.
- 2012-01-03 13:01:35 [update] | 42 | Disney Cruise Line has announced its 2013 itineraries, including cruises departing from Miami, Florida; Vancouver, Canada; Barcelona, Spain; and Galveston, Texas, in addition to Port Canaveral, Florida. New ports will include Venice, Italy; Athens, Greece; and the Greek isle of Mykonos.
- 2012-01-24 15:01:13 [update] | 44 | The Disney Magic doesn't arrive in her new home port of Galveston Texas until September 22, 2012, yet her lineup of itineraries has already changed course. While her fall 2012 Galveston schedule remains unchanged, Disney Cruise Line has modified every 8-night departure between January 18 and May 10, 2013 (the 6-night Western Caribbean itineraries are not affected).
Three 8-night Western Caribbean itineraries are being replaced by six 4-night "getaway" cruises featuring a visit to Cozumel Mexico and 2 days at sea. Six 8-night itineraries will visit Disney's Castaway Cay, Port Canaveral/Walt Disney World, and Key West, plus 4 days at sea. Walt Disney World admission and ground transportation is included in the fare. Cruisers with existing reservations are being contacted by the cruise line to discuss their alternatives. Reservations for the new itineraries will open on September 5. Currently, the Disney Cruise Line web site simply states that those dates are "sold out."
The 4-night itinerary offers Friday departures on February 1, March 15, and April 12, and Tuesday departures on February 4, March 19, and April 16. (These replace 8-night departures on February 1, March 19, and April 12, 2013.) The 8-night cruises sail on Fridays: January 18, February 15, March 1, March 29, April 26, and May 10, 2013.
We wondered at Disney's original plan, as visits to Cozumel, Costa Maya and Grand Cayman are par for the course from Galveston. These changes seem very smart. Affordable, 4-night "starter" cruises have always been popular on Disney Cruise Line, and for veteran cruisers, the cruise line is delivering beloved destinations that only Disney can provide.
- 2012-08-20 18:08:08 [update] | 47 | Guests sailing on the Disney Magic out of the port of New York City this summer have the opportunity to book a Disney-exclusive tour for before or after their cruise. The tour is of the historical New Amsterdam Theatre, home to the musical, Mary Poppins. Then after the tour, guests will have a chance to see Mary Poppins or The Lion King!
- 2012-04-10 08:04:54 [update] | 49 | Disney Cruise Line has announced a change to the 7-night Mexican Riviera itineraries for the first half of 2012 (departures January 8 - March 22). Rather than visit Mazatl�n, which continues to be a safety concern, the Disney Wonder will arrive in Cabo San Lucas a day early (Thursday), and visit for two days. The same change was made to 2011 itineraries. The cruise line has not released its plans for the fall 2012 season, which begins on October 28, 2012.
- 2011-09-01 02:09:17 [update] | 49 | The Mazatlan stop on the 7-night Western Mexican Riviera itinerary has been cancelled for the January 8, 2012 - April 22, 2012 cruises. The stop has been replaced with an additional day in Cabo San Lucas. This extends the previously-announced change for an additional month.
- 2011-09-20 12:09:28 [update] | 51 | On September 23, Disney Cruise Line added a second cruise to Hawaii to its 2012 schedule. The new 14-night itinerary on the Disney Wonder departs Oct. 14, 2012, from Los Angeles, replacing two 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises. The itinerary includes stops at Kahului, Maui; Nawiliwili, Kauai; Honolulu, O'ahu; and Hilo, Hawai'i; plus Ensenada, Mexico. There are 8 days at sea! Bookings are now open, but for now, reservations are not available online. Phone Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500, or contact your travel agent.
- 2011-09-29 15:09:48 [update] | 113 | Disney Cruise Line has announced that they will be re-categorizing 88 staterooms on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, based on guest feedback. The new categories are:
• 4E – Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (certain staterooms with oversized verandah, previously 5E)
• 5E – Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (certain staterooms, oversized Verandah, some with solid white wall, previously 6B)
• 7A – Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator Verandah (certain staterooms with undersized or obstructed verandah, previously 5C)
• 9C – Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom, One Porthole (certain staterooms with obstructed view, previously 9A)
• 9D – Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom, One Porthole, (certain staterooms with obstructed view or limited view of ocean, previously 9A)
If you are currently booked in one of the affected staterooms and your stateroom category has been upgraded, your price is protected and you will not be charged more. If your stateroom has been adjusted downward, you will receive a refund or price adjustment.
- 2011-10-17 19:10:40 [update] | 153 | Based on the popularity of Palo Brunch onboard the Disney Cruise Line, brunch hours have recently been extended in an effort to accommodate even more guests. As a result, Palo High Tea will no longer be offered as a dining option aboard the Disney Cruise Line ships. The effective sail dates when this change will take place are as follows:Disney Magic – 8/10/12, Disney Wonder – 8/13/12, Disney Dream – 7/22/12, and Disney Fantasy – 8/13/12.
- 2012-04-17 10:04:40 [update] | 180 | Disney Cruise Line has announced that age limits for the tween and teen clubs, Edge and Vibe, will be strictly enforced (ages 11-13 and 14-17, respectively). Adults will no longer be allowed to stay with their children in the Oceaneer Club or Ocenaeer Lab, except for during designated "Open House" events.
- 2011-12-19 15:12:52 [update] | 195 | Disney Cruise Line has announced that a second headline stage show, "Wishes," will debut in the Disney Fantasy's Walt Disney Theatre when the new ship sets sail in March, 2012. Previously, Disney had announced "Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular" for the new ship. The cruise line also unveiled new Welcome Aboard and Farewell shows.
"Wishes" (the name rings a bell, doesn't it?) follows a familiar Disney Cruise Line plot outline. In this case, a trio of high school friends, "Discover the secret to being a grown-up is staying connected to their inner child." Like "Disney Dreams" on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, and "Disney's Believe" on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the protagonists join in scenes adapted from Disney animated films, and learn that Disney magic is for everyone, regardless of age. Scenes include "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" from Lilo and Stitch, "I Wanna Be Like You" from The Jungle Book, and "I've Got a Dream" from Tangled. Other segments feature songs from Hercules, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Mulan, Pinocchio, and the Disney Channel original movie, Lemonade Mouth.
Five of the ship's seven main stage productions have now been revealed:
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"A Fantasy Comes True" - a new welcome aboard show
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"Wishes" (debuts on the Disney Fantasy)
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"Disney's Believe" (debuted on the Disney Dream)
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"Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular" (also debuts on the Disney Fantasy)
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"An Unforgettable Journey" - a new farewell show
The other two evenings of the ship's 7-night itineraries will likely feature variety entertainers and/or major Disney films.
- 2011-12-07 21:12:40 [update] | 999 | A female crew member on the Disney Wonder went missing on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 while the Wonder was sailing between Los Angeles and Puerto Vallarta. The crew member, Rebecca Coriam, works as a youth program counselor, and has been with the Disney Cruise Line since 2010. The ship was searched thoroughly several times, and the Mexican Navy conducted a search of the ship's route that has now ended. The Bahamian Maritime Authority is conducting an investigation, and so far has reported that they don't believe "foul play" was involved.
- 2011-03-26 17:03:10 [update] |
